Social Sciences

Master of Sustainable Urban Development

The Master of Sustainable Urban Development is a postgraduate programme that trains graduates in sustainable urban planning, urban development, environmental sustainability, and urban management. The programme prepares graduates for advanced careers in urban development, city planning, sustainability, and urban management.

Core areas include sustainable urban development, urban planning, environmental sustainability, urban governance, climate resilience, green infrastructure, urban economics, social equity, smart cities, and research methods. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical sustainable urban development applications.

The programme is offered by Daystar University, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and University of Nairobi, with JKUAT as a college. JKUAT offers Master of Sustainable Urban Development with full-time and part-time modes. KU also offers MSc Sustainable Urban Development. UoN offers the programme through its Faculty of Built Environment.

Students develop competencies in sustainable planning, environmental assessment, urban governance, climate adaptation, green infrastructure, and research. The programme includes coursework, studio practicals, field projects, examinations, supervised research, and thesis.

The programme is delivered over two years. UoN comparable environmental programmes have total fees of approximately KES 867,000 (~KES 433,500/year). JKUAT comparable programmes have total fees of approximately KES 362,000 (~KES 181,000/year). Entry requires Bachelor's degree in relevant field with Upper Second or Lower with experience.

Graduates pursue careers as urban development specialists, sustainability planners, city managers, environmental planners, and consultants in government, municipalities, NGOs, and international organisations.

Skills Required

Sustainable Urban Planning and Development
Environmental Sustainability Assessment
Urban Governance and Policy Analysis
Climate Resilience and Adaptation Planning
Green Infrastructure and Urban Design
Urban Economics and Development Finance
Social Equity and Inclusive Development
Smart Cities and Urban Technology
Urban Project Management
Sustainable Urban Development Research Methods

Key Subjects

Sustainable Urban Development
Urban Planning and Design
Environmental Sustainability
Urban Governance
Climate Resilience
Green Infrastructure
Urban Economics
Social Equity
Smart Cities
Urban Development Research Methods

Certifications

UN-Habitat Urban Development Certification
ISOCARP Urban Planning Certification

Specializations

Urban Planning

Focuses on urban planning, land use, zoning, master planning, urban design, development control, and planning sustainable urban areas.

Environmental Sustainability

Examines environmental sustainability, green infrastructure, urban ecology, ecosystem services, environmental assessment, and integrating sustainability in urban development.

Climate Resilience

Covers climate resilience, adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, flooding, heat, and building climate-resilient cities.

Urban Governance

Focuses on urban governance, urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, municipal management, and governing and managing urban areas sustainably.

Smart Cities

Examines smart cities, urban technology, IoT, data-driven urban management, digital governance, and applying technology in sustainable urban development.

Social Equity

Covers social equity, inclusive development, affordable housing, informal settlements, community development, and ensuring equitable urban development.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 295,800
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Sustainable Urban Development
Urban Planning and Design
Environmental Sustainability
Urban Governance
Climate Resilience
Green Infrastructure
Urban Economics
Social Equity
Smart Cities
Urban Development Research Methods

Modules

12 in the programme

Sustainable Urban Development Principles
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines SDG 11, sustainable cities, urban sustainability, sustainable development principles, urban challenges, and understanding sustainable urban development.
Urban Planning and Design for Sustainability
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers land use, zoning, master planning, urban design, development control, density, mixed use, TOD, and planning sustainable urban areas.
Environmental Sustainability in Urban Areas
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines green infrastructure, urban ecology, ecosystem services, environmental assessment, urban biodiversity, and integrating sustainability in urban development.
Urban Governance and Policy
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, municipal management, urban management, devolution, and governing and managing urban areas sustainably.
Climate Resilience and Urban Adaptation
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines climate adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, flooding, heat, drought, and building climate-resilient cities.
Green Infrastructure and Urban Ecology
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers green spaces, urban forests, green roofs, sustainable drainage, urban agriculture, biodiversity, and developing green infrastructure in cities.
Urban Economics and Development Finance
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines urban economics, land economics, development finance, municipal finance, housing markets, PPP, and financing sustainable urban development.
Social Equity and Inclusive Development
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers social equity, inclusive development, affordable housing, informal settlements, community development, gender, and ensuring equitable urban development.
Smart Cities and Urban Technology
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines smart cities, urban technology, IoT, data-driven urban management, digital governance, mobility, and applying technology in sustainable urban development.
Urban Development Research Methods
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for urban development, survey design, data collection, GIS, SPSS, and conducting urban development research, preparing students for their thesis.
Urban Infrastructure and Services
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines urban infrastructure, transport, water, sanitation, energy, housing, solid waste, and planning and managing sustainable urban infrastructure and services.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a sustainable urban development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Urban Planning
Focuses on urban planning, land use, zoning, master planning, urban design, development control, and planning sustainable urban areas.
Environmental Sustainability
Examines environmental sustainability, green infrastructure, urban ecology, ecosystem services, environmental assessment, and integrating sustainability in urban development.
Climate Resilience
Covers climate resilience, adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, flooding, heat, and building climate-resilient cities.
Urban Governance
Focuses on urban governance, urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, municipal management, and governing and managing urban areas sustainably.
Smart Cities
Examines smart cities, urban technology, IoT, data-driven urban management, digital governance, and applying technology in sustainable urban development.
Social Equity
Covers social equity, inclusive development, affordable housing, informal settlements, community development, and ensuring equitable urban development.

A day as a student

A typical day during the Master of Sustainable Urban Development programme begins with morning lectures on sustainable urban development, urban planning, or environmental sustainability. Students engage with theoretical foundations and practical sustainable urban development applications. Sustainable urban development sessions cover SDG 11, sustainable cities, urban sustainability, sustainable development principles, and understanding sustainable urban development. Urban planning sessions examine land use, zoning, master planning, urban design, development control, density, mixed use, and planning sustainable urban areas. Environmental sustainability sessions cover green infrastructure, urban ecology, ecosystem services, environmental assessment, urban biodiversity, and integrating sustainability in urban development. Urban governance sessions examine urban policy, decentralisation, citizen participation, municipal management, urban management, and governing and managing urban areas sustainably. Climate resilience sessions cover climate adaptation, mitigation, urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, flooding, heat, drought, and building climate-resilient cities. Green infrastructure sessions examine green spaces, urban forests, green roofs, sustainable drainage, urban agriculture, and developing green infrastructure. Urban economics sessions cover urban economics, land economics, development finance, municipal finance, housing markets, and financing sustainable urban development. Social equity sessions examine social equity, inclusive development, affordable housing, informal settlements, community development, and ensuring equitable urban development. Smart cities sessions cover smart cities, urban technology, IoT, data-driven urban management, digital governance, and applying technology in sustainable urban development. Studio practicals provide hands-on experience with urban planning projects, sustainability assessments, green infrastructure design, and plan preparation. Field projects provide hands-on experience with urban case studies, site visits, community engagement, and real-world sustainable development challenges. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering urban development research methods, survey design, and data analysis. Guest lectures from UoN faculty, JKUAT planners, UN-Habitat experts, Ministry of Lands officials, and international urban development experts provide real-world insights. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's rapid urbanisation, climate change, devolution, SDG 11, informal settlements, and infrastructure needs create high demand for qualified sustainable urban development professionals.
Programme offered at multiple universities including UoN, JKUAT, Daystar, and CUEA, providing flexible options for students.
Career opportunities with government, municipalities, county governments, NGOs, UN-Habitat, ISOCARP, and international development organisations.
Programme addresses Kenya's sustainable urban development, climate resilience, green infrastructure, smart cities, and inclusive development needs.

Against it

Programme requires urban planning, environmental, or social science background, which may exclude some graduates.
UoN fees of approximately KES 867,000 are relatively expensive compared to JKUAT at KES 362,000.
Studio and field work requires access to planning studios, GIS software, and field sites, which may be limited.
Broad programme covering many topics may lack depth in specific areas compared to specialised programmes.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public179k to 296k

179k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology296k at Kenyatta University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT 179K/yr (jkuat.ac.ke). KU 296K/yr (mawese.com). Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. UN-Habitat supports sustainable urban development capacity building. Ministry of Lands supports urban development. ISOCARP supports urban planning professional development. The programme's sustainable urban development focus attracts UN, government, and international funding.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
UN-Habitat Urban Development Funding
Ministry of Lands Urban Development Funding

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate sustainable urban development studies at recognised universities.
UN-Habitat Urban Development Funding
GrantKsh 300,000
UN-Habitat supports sustainable urbanisation globally, providing funding for postgraduate study and research in sustainable urban development.
Ministry of Lands Urban Development Funding
GrantKsh 200,000Kenyan
Ministry of Lands supports urban development in Kenya, providing funding for postgraduate research in sustainable urban development.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme accepts graduates from urban planning, environmental science, geography, architecture, social sciences, economics, land management, civil engineering, surveying, public administration, and related fields. Two-year programme with full-time and part-time modes.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Continuous Assessment
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, planning exercises, sustainability assessments, policy briefs, and class participation.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering sustainable urban development, planning, governance, climate resilience, and smart cities, conducted at end of each semester.
Studio and Field Project Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of studio projects, planning reports, GIS analysis, field studies, sustainability assessments, and practical work.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a sustainable urban development topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). JKUAT offers Master of Sustainable Urban Development with full-time and part-time modes. UoN offers the programme through its Faculty of Built Environment. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate sustainable urban development training. UN-Habitat supports sustainable urbanisation globally from Nairobi, and ISOCARP supports urban planning internationally.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. JKUAT offers Master of Sustainable Urban Development with full-time and part-time modes. UoN offers the programme through its Faculty of Built Environment. The programme meets CUE standards for postgraduate sustainable urban development training.
UN-Habitat
Professional accreditation
UN-Habitat supports sustainable urbanisation globally, headquartered in Nairobi. Graduates may benefit from UN-Habitat guidelines and networking for urban development.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Urban Development Specialist
High demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages urban development programmes, overseeing planning, sustainability, infrastructure, and supporting sustainable urban development.
Sustainability Planner
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Plans for sustainability, overseeing sustainability assessments, green infrastructure, climate resilience, and supporting sustainable planning.
City Manager
Moderate demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages city operations, overseeing municipal services, urban governance, infrastructure, and supporting city management and development.
Environmental Planner
High demandKsh 120,000 to Ksh 500,000
Plans for environmental sustainability, overseeing environmental assessment, green infrastructure, and supporting environmental planning.
Urban Development Consultant
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 550,000
Provides urban development consultancy, overseeing development studies, sustainability assessments, and supporting urban development projects.
University Lecturer
Moderate demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Teaches sustainable urban development in universities, conducting research and training future urban development professionals.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as urban development specialists, sustainability planners, and city managers in government, municipalities, and international organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ArcGIS
SoftwarePrimary
GIS software for urban planning, land use mapping, spatial analysis, sustainability planning, and mapping and analysing urban development data.
QGIS
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source GIS software for urban planning, spatial analysis, environmental mapping, and GIS analysis in sustainable urban development.
AutoCAD
Software
CAD software for urban design, site planning, plan preparation, drafting, and creating urban development drawings and layouts.
SPSS
Software
Statistical software for urban development research, survey analysis, demographic data, and research data analysis.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Sustainable urban development is just about planting trees in cities.
The programme involves urban planning, governance, climate resilience, economics, social equity, smart cities, and research, covering comprehensive sustainable urban development.
This programme is only for architecture graduates.
The programme accepts graduates from urban planning, environmental science, geography, architecture, social sciences, economics, and related fields.
There is limited demand for sustainable urban development professionals in Kenya.
Kenya's rapid urbanisation, climate change, devolution, SDG 11, informal settlements, and infrastructure needs create high demand for qualified sustainable urban development professionals.
Sustainable development is a luxury for developing countries.
Sustainable urban development is essential for developing countries to manage rapid urbanisation, climate risks, and ensure livable, equitable cities.
Smart cities are only for wealthy countries.
Smart city approaches can be adapted to developing country contexts, using appropriate technology and data-driven management for sustainable urban development.
A master's in sustainable urban development is redundant after an urban planning degree.
The master's provides specialised sustainability skills, research capability, strategic perspective, and career progression to senior urban development positions.